London Marathon 2019

robinph

Regarding the train times to get to the start line I pulled this page from the 2018 Final Instructions magazine. Use it only as an approximate guide to how long you need to allow to get to the appropriate start, and check on the TFL journey planner if needed as well. But should let you figure out what time you have to spare in the morning. Remember that once you get off the train you'll then have a bit of a walk to the start zone, a long queue for the loos, a queue for the baggage truck and an even longer queue for the loos to negotiate before the start.

VMLM 2018 train times

robinph

Regarding viewing there are a multitude of options to get to see the elites go through, some much less crowded than others.

Last year I went along to the start and then walked down to the Cutty Sark area and watched from just after mile 7. I got there just as the elite ladies went through ( I was actually stuck in the middle of one of the crossing points as they sped past) and then found a kerb to sit on a bit further along the course a few hundred meters past the mile 7. Saw the Elite men go through and some of the "elite" boardsies and some of the speedy guys I knew locally. I then left and made my way back towards Cutty Sark down some allyways and side road, but not along side the course as it was too busy to get through the crowds, and walked under the river through the Greewnwich Foot Tunnel.

I'd recommend being on the river side of the road at Greenwich in order to be able to use the foot tunnel, but if you are on the south of the road at that point you can still get up top the next bit of the course by taking the DLR from the Greenwich stop, don't bother trying to fight your way into the DLR stop for Cutty Sark, it's far too crowded and a waste of time I think for where you want to get next.

The foot bridge brings you out at just before mile 17 and you'll be in plenty of time to see the elites go through again here. The crowd is not too busy and you can walk along the footpath up towards Canary Wharf taking as long as you like, although you may need to dash across the road at some point where the footpath disappears or they have a water station. Once you get up the the big office blocks the crowd should still be thin enough to get through, but it's very noisy so if you are hoping to cheer for a freind at this point they are unlikely to hear you. If you were to hop on the DLR from one of the stops there and got along to Tower Gateway, then walk across the road to Tower Hill you can then get on the Circle or District lines along to Embankment or Westminter. You'll probably not make it in time to see the elites again at that point unless you are very well practised in negotiating the underground, but you should be able to easily get there quicker than someone else who you see around the Canary Wharf area and then catch them again near the finish. You could get back to see the route again at Tower Gateway/ Hill, and should make it there in time to catch your friends again, but it will be very, very busy around there. Great atmosphere though so might be worth a stop off. When running and you do spot someone you know in amongst that crowd it is a very good boost, but the supporter would need to have a very loud shout to be heard above the din.

All along the last few miles will be quite crowded, but I think the roads are wide enough that you'll not have problems getting a good view. You won't be able to walk along the side of the route at certain points from Westminster towards the finish though as they have one way systems for pedestrians setup and some foot paths blocked off.

Edit: Just for a guide of how long travel takes on the underground, last year I was hanging around long enough at just before Canary Wharf to see the Elite men and a fair chunk of the speedier local runners that I knew, I then left as I saw a runner in a local club vest drop out and then escorted him back to the finish via the DLR. It took us about as long to get back to the finish as the guys who he'd have been running amongst to get there, although we were obviously not overly rushing as he was a bit knackered at the time.

Bananaleaf

Wow, @robinph thank you so much for your detailed response.

I don't know my way around London at all, so I plan on doing a practice run of the route on either the Friday or Saturday. Hopefully I get on okay and don't mess up.

Am studying the maps on the London Marathon website now and making notes on your suggestions

thanks

robinph

Here is Farah and Kipchoge going through about 17 miles last year.

https://flic.kr/p/26EMYZG

Bananaleaf

robinph wrote: »

Here is Farah and Kipchoge going through about 17 miles last year.

https://flic.kr/p/26EMYZG

Oh wow, I'm so excited!! Wow, there looks like loads of space for spectating right there!!

GalwayGrrrrrl

I used to volunteer at the water station in Canary Wharf, isle of dogs area , around mile 19. It’s traditionally a quiet area for spectators so if you go early in the morning you’ll easily get a spot on the barrier to spectate. I’d avoid anywhere near tower bridge, Westminster or cutty sark as these are the busiest viewing areas. Have a brilliant day, I love the London Marathon, amazing atmosphere.

rainbow kirby

Marathon2011 wrote: »

@bananaleaf I cheered on a friend 2 years ago .

The course kinda loops so I was on tower bridge around mile 12 then went for lunch close by and could cheer him on again at mile 23. Just by walking.

That area is such a kick in the pants if you're on the slower side like me! :pac: 4:51 in Manchester and probably slower for London means a relentless stream of fast people coming back at you.

Less than 3 weeks to go, that's flown in! Will be heading down from Manchester on the Friday, going to the expo with hubby and kids that day, probably doing my old home parkrun at Highbury Fields on the Saturday.

robinph

rainbow kirby wrote: »

That area is such a kick in the pants if you're on the slower side like me! :pac: 4:51 in Manchester and probably slower for London means a relentless stream of fast people coming back at you.

Less than 3 weeks to go, that's flown in! Will be heading down from Manchester on the Friday, going to the expo with hubby and kids that day, probably doing my old home parkrun at Highbury Fields on the Saturday.

I think we're going to practice our counting at Highbury Fields as well.

rainbow kirby

I'll most likely be pushing the buggy - the other half wants to do Sunny Hill parkrun but I'm f*cked if I'm doing that the day before the marathon, especially with another one only 3 weeks before. We're staying in the Premier Inn in Archway so it's just going to be a matter of barrelling onto the 43 with the double.

robinph

We can now get the entirely reliable long range weather forecasts. 13 degrees, a bit cloudy and 20km wind from wnw:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/london/ec4a-2/daily-weather-forecast/328328?day=17

Could do without the wind, but otherwise not too bad.

Jmcmen

Tapped out of this with a deferral last week, Good luck to all running

highlandcow

How we all feeling folks?

I can sense the mental gymnastics that are tapering fast approaching. Going to run the 10k in Phoenix park tomorrow as a final bit of speed. Probably won't go fully all out but looking forward to the event and hopefully a PB.

Hope the taper goes well for you all.

rainbow kirby

Probably more chilled than I've been for any other marathon! I got the time I wanted for London in Manchester last weekend so will now just womble around and have the craic. I've recovered pretty well too thankfully.

Bananaleaf

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Probably more chilled than I've been for any other marathon! I got the time I wanted for London in Manchester last weekend so will now just womble around and have the craic. I've recovered pretty well too thankfully.

wow, two marathons in the one month?! That's impressive.
I will be there spectating. I'm doing my first marathon later this year and am going to London to spectate and to be inspired

Best of luck to all

robinph

Normally at this stage something about engineering works on the underground comes up to scare us about getting to the start, that of course always comes to nothing in the end.

Now I'm wondering if the climate change protests are going to stick around for another week. Think they are up to 400+ arrests so far and the police being a bit unsure how to go about clearing people from the roads.

blueberrypie

Just back from London, signs up and around the city, really wish I was lucky enough in the ballot. Climate change protesters were everywhere and numbers were far bigger I noticed by mid week. They had a boat across Oxford Street, tents etc, blocking it, traffic and touristy buses were all diverted. They are targeting subways and airports. It would be a disaster if its impinges on the marathon.

robinph

Weather isn't looking too bad for Sunday now. Cloud cover, minimal wind, about 12 degrees and possibility of light rain in the afternoon.

If it stays like that I'd be happy.

thomas anderson.

Ideal conditions.

Looking forward to getting this done and getting rat arsed

rainbow kirby

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Looking forward to getting this done and getting rat arsed

+1!

Younganne

good luck to all doing London, i'll be watching(tracking) from afar unfortunately.

robinph

Little bit daft to be playing on a bouncy treadmill in week before a marathon.
https://twitter.com/LondonMarathon/status/1121075210277597185?s=09

Hurrache

Treadmills are least of his problems at the moment.

yaboya1

robinph wrote: »

Little bit daft to be playing on a bouncy treadmill in week before a marathon.
https://twitter.com/LondonMarathon/status/1121075210277597185?s=09

Indeed....

robinph wrote: »

Just when you enter the Expo they have a massive treadmill running at world record marathon pace. Keep going for 400m and you win a baseball cap. Simple.

Just as I entered Liz Yelling was having a go so figured and managed to get a selfie with Martin while she was running as I was wearing my MT tshirt.

The treadmill is very bouncy which probably makes it a bit easier to run at speed on. Managed to win myself a hat and could have gone on for longer, especially if I wasn't wearing jeans.

OOnegative

https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/news-media/latest-news/item/suspension-of-abraham-kiptum/

robinph

yaboya1 wrote: »

Indeed....

Fair cop. Although it's not my job to run marathons.

Of course I hopped on the treadmill again today.

ultrapercy

What is the story with Mo Farah? He seems to be trying very hard to sabotage his own race.
Why would he risk injury with that treadmill stunt days away from the race?
Why would he waste nervous energy on a public spat with one of the sports darlings?
Is it a case of his management company telling him to drum up controversy?
Is it a tactic to show how relaxed he is?
Is it a diversion to keep him getting too nervous?
Has he lost the plot?
I'm at a loss.

Swashbuckler

Putting it simply he knows he can't beat the man

opus

Was wondering that as well, leading up to what I presume is his A race this year why would be stressing out by starting that with Haile. As for the treadmill stunt, no idea

In any case best of luck to everyone for Sunday!

Bananaleaf

Guys - best of luck Sunday. I arrived in London today and I can still hardly believe it but I was lucky enough to meet Kipchoge this evening. Had a short conversation with him, got a photo and a handshake - am thrilled with myself

blueberrypie

Enjoy the race, hopefully I'll be there in 2020!